Window seal with magnetic fastener



Dec. 1, 1959 Y A. PRITZERT WINDOW SEAL :WITH MAGNETIC FASTENER' Filed March 12, 1959 Fig,

Abe Pr/fzer/ 1N VEN TOR. 40/23:. BY fir United States Patent i v This invention relates to improvements in the methods and means for sealing windows which are partially occupied by air conditioners or other types of appliances which are situated in a window in a manner similar to a room air conditioner.

An object of the invention is to provide a very easily appliedand removed seal adapted to fit along confronting edges of the air conditioner and another similarly 2,914,818 Patented Dec. 1, l 958 described and claimed, reference being had to the accom functioning seal adapted to fit between the front surface of the upper window and the upper edge of the inner window. Although the seal which exemplifies the invention is mechanically simple, it serves its intended purpose very efiectively, excluding air leakage but enabling a maintenance man to very easily remove the seal for the purpose of moving the windows so that they may be washed.

There is a considerable amount of difficul'ty involved in washing a window with an air conditioner disposed in it. The air conditioner ordinarily has to be removed so that the window may be completely cleaned. If the air conditioner is allowed to remain in place there is still a considerable difiiculty in removing nails from the window that are placed therein to hold the lower window down tight against the top of the air conditioner and if nails are not used,'any fastener of a semi-permanent nature to serve the same purpose has to be removed. The seal constructed in accordance with this invention is'magnetically held in place so that it is a comparatively simple task to simply pull it out of place and an equally simple task to return it.

The seal may be used with windows made from all types of material including wood, steel, aluminum, etc. In those instances wherein the material of the window is wood or steel it has been found through experience in the last four or five years that the lower member of the upper window deteriorates prematurely when an elfective seal is achieved between the top member of the lower window and the glass panel of the upper window. It is unnecessary to definitely conclude the reasons for this premature deterioration. The fact is that premature deterioration does exist and a seal constructed in accordance with this invention not only minimizes this deterioration but also possesses the other advantages mentioned above that is, ease of installation and removal to aid maintenance per- Send. An important advantage of the seal is to exclude drafts and unnecessary heat loss between the windows and between the air conditioner and the lower window member. Even in cases where a seal is used between the air conditioner and the side panels on either side of the air conditioner, some leakage exists due to faulty installation of the conventional seal or actual deterioration of the seal. In those cases where a seal exists at the juncture of the air conditioner and the lower window, the seal of this invention improves conditions by assuring correct sealing, always with the attendant advantage of ease of installation and removal of the seal.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details panying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical window having a pair of seals constructed in accordance with the invention and installed therein.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the magnetic locks on one end of one of the seals.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of another of the magnetic locks on the other of the seals. In the accompanying drawing there is a conventional window 10 having a window frame 12, an upper window 14 and a lower window 16. The window assembly 10 a pad 24 adhered to the bottom surface of the base.

though it is preferred that the pad 24 be made of felt; other materials of construction can be adopted, such as natural or synthetic rubber, foam rubber, either natural or synthetic and any other suitable compressible substance. Pad '24 has notches 26 which open forwardly of window 14 and laterally at the ends of the padso as to fit neatly around 'the sides of window 14 while the edge 28 'of pad 24 fits flush against the inside surface of the window pane of window 14.

Magnetic means are at each end of base 22 for detachably fastening seal 18 in place on the uppersurface of the top member of window 16. As is well known, the lower window isordinarily lifted'to leave a space on the window sill or near the window sill to support air conditioner 8. The space between the upper member of window 16 and the glass pane of window 14 is then open, but seal 28 closes this'opening by having the lowersurface of pad 24 fitting flush against the upper surface of the top member of window 16 and by having one edge of the pad 24 fit flush against the inside surface of the pane of window 14. The edges of notches 26 fit flush against the adjacent edges of the sides of window 14,

while the ends of pad 24 fit flush against the sides of the window frame 12. Seal 18 is held in this positionby magnetic locks, these constituting the means for detach ably securing the seal 18 in place. Typical magnetic lock 30 for seal 18 is shown in detail in Figure 5. It consists of a case 32 provided with a pair of lateral ears 34 and 36 in which there are slots 38. Screws 40, bolts or corresponding fasteners are passed through the screws and into the base 22 enabling the case 32 to be adjusted and held in place in a selected adjusted position on base 22. A laminate 42 of magnetic and non-magnetic plates is disposed within the open-ended case 32 with the members of the laminate held captive in the case but capable of limited pivotal motion, by pivot pin 44 carried by the case. The ends of the laminate adhere to a metal plate 46 which has at least one opening 48 to receive a fastener, for example screw 50, that holds the plate secure to the upper window 14.

Seal 20 is quite similar to seal 18 and consists of a base 60 which is elongate and flat and preferably made of aluminum. Pad 62 is adhered to one face of base 60, and as in seal 18, a portion of the pad projects laterally from one longitudinal edge of base 62. Pad 62 may be made of .resilient, flexible material or any other, suitable material, for instance :naturalor synthetic spongerubber, felt, etc. The ends of base-60 have magnetic, locks 64 fastened in place by fasteners, as screws 66, passing through slots 68 in ear 70. The ear constitutes a part of case 72 this ,case being constructed of angle bracket 74 with ear 70 at one edge thereof. A laminate 78- of alternate magnetized and non-magnetic plates, is held captive within the case 64 by means of a pivot bolt 80 whichpassesloosely through aligned holes in the members of the laminate thereby mounting the members vof the laminatetfor restricted pivotal. movement. Thepivotal movement of the laminate is importantbecause it permits thetinstallation to be made -more;easily-and it allows the seal to be removed moreeasily.

-,Magne tizable plate ;82.isbeld inplace on the sides of window frame 12 by means of a .screw or like fastener so that the seal 20 can be easilyattached and detached by. simply locating it in place and-having the magnetic locks retaintbe seal 20 in a firmposition. The rear face of pad 62 fits flush against the lower member of-window 16 while the lower edge of pad- 62 is pressed against the top ofthe air conditioner 8. The ends of pad 62 .fit against the adjacent portions of the sides of window frame 12, and a portion of the pad on each side of the air conditioner laps the juncture between the extension panels (where used) on each side of the air conditioner-and the window 16.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to 'those skilled inlhe art, it is not desired'to limit the invention to-the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling withinthe scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as newis as follows:

1. A window seal assembly for a window assembly which has an upper window and a lower window and wherein the lower window is in an elevated I position accommodating an air conditioner below the lower edge thereof, said .seal assembly including a seal having a non-magnetizable flat base, a pad ,onsaid flat baseand having atlongitudinal :edge portion protruding laterally beyond one longitudinal edge of :said base, said-edge pottion of said padjbeingflexible and fitting flush against the upper surface of the air conditioner and covering the. juncture made -by the window and air conditioner, andmagnetic locks connected to said non-magnetizable base and operatively connected with a portion of the window assembly for detachably securing said base and pad in place in the window assembly so that it may be readily removed for maintenance of the window assembly. 2. A window seal assembly for a window assembly whichthas an upper window and a lower window and wherein the lower window is in an elevated position accommodating an air conditioner below the lower edge thereof, said seal assembly including a seal having a nonmagnetizable flat base, a pad on said flat base and having a longitudinal edge portion protruding laterally beyond one longitudinal edge of said base, said edge portion of said pad being flexible and fitting flush against the upper surface of the air conditioner and covering the juncture rnadeby the window and air conditioner, and magnetic locks connected to said non-magnetizable base and operatively connected with a portion of the window assembly for detachably securing said base and pad in place in the window assembly so that it may be readily removed for maintenance of the window assembly, a second seal constituting a part of said assembly and fitting on the top member of the lower window and against the window pane of the upper window to seal the space therebetween, and magnetic meanslconstituting a part of said second seal and in engagement with portions .of said window assembly for detachablysecuring said second seal in place as aforesaid in said windowassembly.

3. In a window assembly which has a first window and a second window which are vertically movable with reference to each other and wherein the second window is elevated to the partial extent of the upward movement thereof, a seal assembly comprising a non-magnetic base, a pad attached to said non-magnetic base and having an edge portion protruding laterally beyond said nonmagnetic base and fitting flush against the window pane of the first window, a flat lower, surface of said pad fitting flush against the top surface of the upper window member of said second window, magnetic locks attached to said base at the opposite ends thereof and engageable with spaced portions of said window assembly for detachably securing said base and pad in place in said window assembly.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein each magnetic lock includes a case, an articulated laminate of magnetizedand non-magnetizable members carried in said base, and a magnetizable member to which said laminate is adapted to be connected.

5.. The combination ofclaim 1 wherein each magnetic meansincludes a .case, an articulated laminate of magnetized and nonemagnetizable members carried in said base, :and a magnetizable member to which said laminate is adaptedto be connected.

6. The combination of claim 2 wherein each magnetic means includes a ,case, an articulated laminate of magnetized and non-magnetizable .members carried in said base, anda magnetizable member to-which said laminate is adapted to be connected.

References Citedinthefile of this patent .UNITED STATES PATENTS 

